Keyboard perforator and counter



.June 14, 1938.

K. A. sYLvEsTER KEYBOARD PERFORATOR AND COUNTER Filed April 18, 1936 N no. Tim' w NN 0m E mw \|.v, 8 Q o mw vo. i 1l N om mh @n a vm v 8 N e nu m f T f, S E .Y mm E TS N m WA NL IE Mw@ M, K h v] B Patented June 14, 1938 UNI-TED STATES PATE-NT OFFICE KEYBOARD PERFORATOR A3D COUNTER Application April 18, 1936, Serial No. 75,081

28 Claims.

composing systems and apparatus and particularly to perforators and counters for preparing a perforated strip for the automatic control of composing machines.

In the typographical art, the lines of type produced by composing machines of the linecasting type are made through the instrumentality of matrices which consist of small brass units carrying indented characters in their edges and which are of different thicknesses due to the fact that the characters vary in width. Thus, when the matrices are assembled into a line of predetermined denite length, the number of matrices necessary to complete the line varies with the particular matrices already assembled. The length of the line therefore is dependent upon the thickness of the characters or matrices composing the line and not merely upon the number of characters included in the line.

It is necessary during the preparationv of a perforated strip, representing lines of composed matter for the production of the slugs or lines of type, to totalize the various thicknesses of matrices corresponding to the code perforations made in the strip, so that the operator will be apprised of the length of line remaining available as each key is operated and can thus judge the justiiiability of the line.

In the design of new fonts of type, either to supersede prior designs or to provide or create new designs, each character is assigned to a. certain deinite thickness group. In such a grouping system one of the widest characters in the font (usually the em quad) may be assumed to be divided into a predetermined number of units, and unit groupings may be established on the basis of unit sizes; for example, the lower case a" might be assigned to group Il regardless of the font or style of type, signifying that a lower case a is eleven units in width, a unit being considered not as a xed dimension but merely as a proportion of the quad size in the particular font of which it is a part.

According to the disclosure in U. S. Patent No. 2,059,250, a keyboard device is provided for preparing perforated tape in which the perforations represent lines of composed matter and wherein account is taken of the number of characters or matrices composed through the instrumentality of a counting and indicating mechanism adapted to accommodate unit groupings from five to eighteen units. .To attain a Wider range of counting or totalizing of the thicknesses of the matrices composed in a line, a keyboard device (Cl. 164-112) 'I'his invention pertains to improvements in.

according to the disclosure in U. S. Patent No. 2,043,231 has been provided wherein the unit groupings range from ve to thirty-two units in thickness. In some forms of composition, for example, headline composition, it is desirable to employ matrices which are less than five units in thickness and to classify the characters in a font in groups ranging froml one to thirty-two units in thickness.

Accordingly the principal object of the present invention is to provide a counting arrangement of wide range and to arrange for either augmenting or decreasing the eiect of a primary counting device.

The above and other objects of this invention are accomplished by the provision of a keyboard device similar to those disclosed in the foregoing cited patents, which completely describe and illustrate a keyboard perforator and counter adaptable particularly for the present invention and to which reference may be had for a full and comprehensive disclosure of the structure to which the present invention may applied.

Briefly, the keyboard includes keylevers arranged in a manner characteristic of typewriters which operate through a permutation selector mechanism contained in the housing of a perforator and counter apparatus to position permutably a series of code discs of a selector to select one of a circumferentially arranged series of rods. A stop member or counting barrel, to which a, constant torque is imparted, cooperates with the selected rods to determine the degree of rotation of the counting barrel. Of the selector rods thirteen represent a series of groups ranging from ve to eighteen units inclusive. Thus, as the stop member or counting barrel is rotated through variable angles according to the selector rod operated, like rotation is imparted to a spiral gear operatively associated with the counting barrel, and through a suitable gear train, variable motion is imparted to a matrix pointer associated with an indicator dial. Hence as the keys are depressed, the matrix pointer is moved through variable distances cumulatively corresponding to the widths or thicknesses of the matrices represented by the keys.

According to the disclosure in Patent No. 2,059,250, an auxiliary counting device is interposed in the gear train between the aforementioned counting barrel and the matrix pointer so that the matrix pointer may be controlled, either variably by the counting barrel, or definitely and invariably by the auxiliary counting device, or variably by the dual and combined action ofboth counting devices. In other words, the counting device may have its action imparted directly to the indicating element or it may have its action augmented under certain conditions where an increased count is required.

In accordance with the present invention the auxiliary counting device is supplemented with' a subduction means cooperable alternatively with the augmenting device to reduce or subtract from the count initiated by the primary counting device so that counts or movements less than plus five units in thickness may be obtained on the indicator dial. f

A more comprehensive understanding of the present invention may be had from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein like reference characters represent similar parts throughout the several views.

In the drawing Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a perforator and counter with parts broken away showing so much of the apparatus as is necessary for an understanding of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the diierential device according to the present invention, and

Figs. 3 and 4 are sectional views showing divers operative positions of the ratchet and pawl mechanisms.

In Fig. 1 a plurality of key levers Il, of which one is illustrated, are pivoted on a common rod I2 and are normally upheld by individual springs I0. These key levers extend over a number of pairs of permutation bars 2 and 3 included in the perforator selecting unit, indicated generally by the numeral 4, and pairs of bars I4 and I5 included in the selecting unit of the counting mechanism indicated generally by the numeral I6. Each key lever II is arranged to depress one of the bars 2 or 3 of each pair of bars, and through the medium of rocker arms 5 lifts the other bar of the pair also reciprocating longitudinally a member 3 cooperatively associated with and subjacently disposed to each pair of bars 2 and 3, to impart corresponding movement to the associated pivoted member 1. The function of members 1, asdisclosed in Patent No. 2,059,250, is to control the operation of punch interference elements 3 in the tape perforating unit 9.

The key levers allotted to the letters and numerals are each provided with a slidable code bar I3 which coacts with the pairs of permutation bars I4 and I5 of the counter selecting unit I6. Each code bar I3 is slotted at its forward end so as to admit a pin I1 secured to the key levers II and is-pivoted at its rear end to a rocker member Il, which extends transversely of the key levers I I and is pivotally mounted in trunnions I3 journaled in the base or frame 2l. Subjacently disposed to each pair of bars I4 and I5 is a bar 22- which is operatively related thereto through the medium of rocker arms 23 in such manner that the depression of one element of each pair of elements, through the depression of a key lever,` causes the operation of the other element of that pair in a reverse direction and causes the bar 22 to' be reciprocated longitudinally upon the alternate actuations of said pair of bars, as in the case of member 3 associated with bars 2 Aand 3. Inasmuch as it is desired to operate the longitudinally movable members 22 in diferent permutations, there is provided an individually shaped code bar I3 for each of the key levers II having its code projections 23 in an individual arrangement so as to depress one or the other of each pair of the bars. Il and Il so that these bars upon the depression of the respective key levers I I will be operated in combinations peculiar to each key lever. It may be noted at this point that the projections 23 are arranged in varying permutations and accomplish the same resultas though the upper edges of the bars Il and I5 were notched for effecting the corresponding movement of the permutation bars. As each key lever I I usually represents two characters (except special function key levers) one in the upper case and one in the lower case, and since the widths of the upper and lower case characters assigned to a key may vary, it is therefore desired to distinguish between them and to' eilect a corresponding correction in the counting mechanism by providing shiftable code bars of the kind represented by the code bar I3.

As previously mentioned, code bars I3 are secured at their rear ends to the rocker member Il, and the latter is adapted to be rocked to either of two positions upon the depression of a shift or unshlft key lever, in a manner clearly described in Patent No. 2,059,250, depending upon whether the selection is in the lower or upper case position.

When any key lever Il is depressed, the pairs of permutation bars comprising bars Il and I5 will be positioned through the instrumentality of projections 23 of the code bars I3 to cause the movement of said permutation bars upwardly or downwardly in varying permutations, and simultaneously therewith will cause the movement of the permutation members 22 in varying combinations. It is of course understood that the depression of a key lever II also operates bars 2 and 3 associated with the perforator 9. The members 22 are operatively connected with a corresponding series .of Y-shaped members 25 which will be positioned in 'accordance with the operation of the permutation members 22 and will control the setting of a plurality of notched discs 23, forming a part of the code disc selector indicated generally by the numeral 24. Individual to each of the members 25 and notched code discs 26 is a transfer lever 21 which is pivotally mounted on a rod 23 journaled in a bracket (not shown) which is operated to reciprocate the transfer levers vertically by means of a cam mounted on an operating shaft 29, winch is analogous to shaft |30 shown in Patent No. 2,059,250. Cams mounted on shaft 29 are of a duplex nature, that is, they are provided with two symmetrical cam surfaces to permit a complete cyclic operation of the device for each one-half revolutionof the cams.

For each operation of the bracket carrying the transfer levers 21, the latter will be moved into operative relation with the Y-shaped levers 25; that is, whether the members 25 are at the right or left as viewed in Fig. 1, the transfer members 21 will engage or be free of the upper end of the Y-shaped members 25 to cause the discs 25 to be rocked in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction with the Y-shaped members 25 operated in varying permutations in accordance with the movement of the permutation members 22. The discs 23 will likewise be rotated in varying combinations and will correspondingly cause the augment of the various groups of notches formed in the periphery of the discs. Transversely of the notches inthe discs are a plurality of rods 3i, there being a rod individual to each l set of notches (when aligned), arranged with anti-friction rollers 32. Eachof the rods 3I is centripetally biased by an individual spring 3l.

in the discs 23 are V-shaped so that when the discs are moved for a subsequent selection, the previously selected rod 3| will be cammed outwardly against the action of its associated spring 36. operatively secured to the right-hand end of each of the rods 3| is a stop member 33 which slides in suitable slots formed in a circular member 3 To the right of the code disc selector 24 (as viewed in Fig. 1) is a counting barrel or-unit 35, forming a part of the counting mechanism which is rotated by power communicated from a continuously rotating motor (not shown) through a friction clutch 36. The counting unit 36 comprises a plurality of circumferentially arranged slides 31 which are longitudinally slideable and adapted to coact with the stop members 33 to determine the degree of rotation of unit 35, and any of the slides 31 which are found in the zero position are operated invariably by a lever (not shown), while a previously operated slide is simultaneously restored to its normal or inoperative position by a collar 38, to accomplish, through the coaction of an operated slide 31 and a selected stop member 33, the incrementally progressive movement of the counting unit 35. The counting unit 35 includes a shaft 39 on which is formed a Worm or spiral gear 4|.

As previously mentioned, the slides 31 cooperate with the slidable stop members 33 associated with the rods 3| to arrest the rotation of the counting unit 35 which, as previously indicated, is driven through a friction clutch 36 to cause a corresponding degree of rotation to worm The rotation of worm gear 4| which meshes with a gear 42 secured to a shaft 43 causes the corresponding angular rotation of a shaft 44 which is geared to shaft 43 through a gear 45, Fig. 2, the gear 46 of the differential gear mechanism. Gear 45 is secured to shaft 43 and 'gear 46 is loosely mounted on shaft 44. The driving connection between gear 46 and shaft 44 is provided by the differential or planetary gear system shown in Fig. 2.

A steeply pitched worm 41 is fixed to the right extremity of shaft 44 and is adapted to mesh with a worm wheel 48 associated with a matrix pointer 49, completing a gear train between the counting urrlt 35 and the matrix pointer 49.

As shown in Fig. 1, the dial sector 5| is provided adjacent its bevel edge with a scale representing the number of ems in a line of maximum length. The reverted end of the matrix pointer 49 moves along this edge of the dial from left to' right toward zero in response to the totalization of the matrix thicknesses by the counting mechanism. Thus the distance from the pointer 49 to zero indicates the amount of space in the line remaining to be filled with matrices exclusive of the space bands. To indicate the justiiability of the composed line including space bands, a pair of pointers 52 and 53 are provided, the distance between the pointers 52 and 53 indicating the amount of expansibility of the space bands. Since the distance from zero on the scale to pointer 53 represents the sum of the thin edges of all the unexpanded space bands (whether one or more in the line) and the distance from zero to pointer 52 represents the sum of the thickest ends of the space bands when fully expanded. it is manifest that the distance between the pointers 52 and 53 represents the difference between these' sums.

which is the amount of expansion or expansibilvity of the space bands contained 'in the line.

Therefore, the space remaining to be illled in a justifiable line, when space bands are inserted, is represented by the distance between the matrix pointer 48 and any point between space band pointers I2 and I3. The manner of effecting the differential or proportional movement of pointers 62' and 63 toward the left (from the zero position) is fully described in Patent No. 2,059,250.

In adapting the keyboard perforator and counter mechanism shown in the aforementioned patents to a thirty-two unit count. it is contemplated to maintain the existing arrangement of parts so far as possible and to this end the change contemplated is the substitution of a diilerential or planetary gear arrangement, shown in Fig. 2, for the gear 2|4 shown in Fig. l of Patent No. 2,059,250. In Fig. 1 the shafts 43 and 44 and the gear 46 are analogoustto shafts 2|| and 2|2 and gear 2 I3 thereof.- and as previously indicated, gear 46 is loosely mounted on the shaft 44 and is analogous to gear 2|4. To gear 46 is aflixed by means of studs A54 an internal gear 55. Also loosely mounted on the shaft 44 is a sleeve 58 on which is ilxedly carried a pair of ratchet wheels 56 and 61, while carried on the ratchet wheel 56 is a pair of planetary gears or pinions 59 and 6| diametrically opposed to each other and in mesh with a gear 62 fixed to and coaxial with the shaft 44, and also with the internal gear 55.

Associated with ratchet wheel 56 is a pawl 63 pivotally carried at the extremity of one arm of a two-armed lever 64 (Figs. 1 and 3) loosely mounted on the shaft-44. A spring actuated detent member 65 (Fig. 2) is provided for ratchet wheel 56. Similarly, there is associated with ratchet 51 a pawl 66 which is pivotally carried at the extremity of one arm of a bell crank lever 61, Fig. 2, loosely carried on shaft 44. Pawl 63 and the arm of lever 64 on ,which it is carried are connected througha linkage train to a code bar 68 in the selector mechanism I6 so that upon each actuation of code bar 68 a relative movement is imparted to pawl 63. The linkage train comprises a link 69 pivotally connected to and depending from a pivot 1| common to pawl 63 and lever 64. Link 69 is provided with a slot 12 into which is fitted the stud 13 carried at the extremity of the vertical arm of a bell crank 14 pivoted at 15 to the base 2|.. To the horizontal arm of bell crank 14 is connected one end of a link 16, the other end of which is connected to the code bar 68. The upward movement of code bar 68, as will presently become apparent, and the consequent upward movement of link 16 will rotate bell crank 14 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 into the position shown in Fig. 3, which movement of bell crank 14 will cause, through stud 13, the link 69 to be rotated in a clockwise direction (Fig. 3) to bring theshouldered portion 11 of link 69 into cooperation with an extension 16 on the spacer bail or bell crank 19. v

Pawl 63 and link 69 are connected by an overcentering or toggle spring 8| which functions, when link 69 is moved clockwise to its position shown in Fig. 3, t0 bias pawl 63 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 3) into engagement with its associated ratchet wheel 56. On the other hand, when link 69 is moved to its counterclockwise position, as shown in Fig. 4, spring 8| acts tobias pawl 63 in a clockwise direction' out of engagement with ratchet 58 and bringing its laterally disposed portion 82 against the edge of lever 8 4, which abutment limits the clockwise rotation of pawl 83. Upon the operation of a spacer bail 19 pursuant to the 'actuation of any key lever (which trips a clutch mechanism to start shaft 29, and consequently spacer cam 83 carried thereon, into rotation), the link 89, if in the position shown in Flg. 3, will be given the downward movement, whereupon pawl 83 will cause ratchet 58 to rotate an angular distance equivalent to one tooth, or any other predetermined amount depending on the distance through which arm 83 is moved. Lever 84 continually tends to rotate in a counterclockwise direction against a stop 84 due to the tension of a spring 85 distended between end of lever 84 and base 2|.

In like manner pawl 88 and the arm 81 on which it is carried are connected through a linkage train to a code bar88 in the selector mechanism |8 so that upon each actuation of code' bar 88, a relative movement is imparted to pawl 88. The linkage train, like that associated with pawl 83, comprises a link 81 pivotally connected to and depending from a pivot 9| common to pawl 88 and lever 81. Link 81 is also provided with a slot 92 into which is tted a stud 93 carried at the extremity of the vertical arm of a bell crank 94 pivoted at 95 to the base 2|. To the end of the horizontal arm of bell crank 94 is pivotally connected one end oi a link 98, the other end of which is connected to code bar 88.

The upward movement of code bar 88 and the consequent upward movement of link 98 will rotate lever 94 in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) to impart through stud 93 counterclockwise rotation to link 81 to bring a shouldered portion 91 thereon into cooperation with one end of a lever 98 pivoted on bracket 99 mounted on base 2|; the other end of lever 98 being pivotally articulated to the extremity of arm 18 on spacer bail 19 so that the clockwise rotation of spacer -bail 19 will cause the counterclockwise rotation of lever 98. The counterclockwise rotation of link 81 by bell crank 94 will cause the pawl 88 to be rotated clockwise into engagement with ratchet 51 through the instrumentality of an overcentering or toggle spring (Fig. 2) in a manner similar to overcentering spring 8| described in connection with pawl 83. vAs link 81 is rotated to bring shouldered portion 91 above and into the path of lever 98 pursuant to the operation of a key lever I, spacer bail 19 will be operated simultaneously therewith due to the initiation of rotation of shaft 29 by the key lever I I. The ensuing counterclockwise rotation of vlever 98 will cause link 81 to be moved upwardly, at the same time causing pawl 88, which may be engaged with ratchet wheel 51, to move said ratchet wheel an angular amount corresponding to the upward movement of link 81. The upward movement of link 81 also causes bell crank 81 to rotate clockwise against the action of its spring |02 so that at the completion of the cycle af operation, spring |02 will act through bell crank 81 to return pawl 88 and link 81 to its normal position.

Bars 88 and |04 are a pair of bars comparable to the four pairs of bars I4 and I5; likewise code bars 88 and |05 are a pair of bars comparable to bars |4 and I8. The operation of bars 88, 88, |04, and is determined by the location thereabove of a projection |03 on a slidable code bar I3; that is, when it is desired to actuate the matrix pointer 49, only in accordance with the operation of -the counting unit 35, counting code bars I4 and I5 will be operated permutably in accordance with the permuted arrangement of projections 23, and projections |03 being associated with both bars 88 and 88 so that it will coact' with both said bars to eifect in turn the disablement of the pawl and ratchet components of the differential gear arrangement, in which case the rotation which will be imparted to shaft 44 will be that corresponding only to the rotation of shaft 43 by the counting unit 35.

When it is desired to superadd fourteen units to the movement of matrix pointer 49 in addition to the movement imparted thereto by the counting unit 35, the projections |03 are aligned or positioned above bars |04 and 88 so that upon the depression of a key lever |I, projections |03 will engage bars |04 and 88, depressing them and causing, through T-levers 20, bars 88 and |05 to move upwardly. Thus the elevation of bar 88 causes, through the linkage train, the

arm 89 to be rotated to bring its shouldered portion 11 into the path of arm 18 of spacer bail 19. In this manner shaft 44 will be rotated not only by the counting mechanism 35 but also through the differential gear arrangement bythe ratchet wheel 58, causing matrix pointer 49 to be dually operated; that is, both by the counting unit 35 and the ratchet wheel 58.

On the other hand, if it is desired to cause the matrix pointer 49 to be moved a number of units less than six, matrix pointer 49 is caused to be dually operated by the counting unit 35 and ratchet 51 of the diierential gear arrangement through the instrumentality of pawl and ratchet components 88 and 51, respectively, instead of 88 and 58, respectively. To effect the latter result, projections |03 are disposed over code bars 88 and |05, thus causing, upon the actuation cf a key lever Il, the depressie of code bars 88 and |05. The depression of code bar 88 causes the pawl 83 to be withdrawn or disengaged from ratchet 58 and the depression of code bar |05 causes, through rocker lever 20, the code bar 88 to be elevated. The elevation of bar 88 causes, through the associated linkage train, the shoulderedv portion 91 to be presented over lever 98, and the pawl 88 to be engaged with ratchet 51.

The depression of any key lever I| also causes the initiation of rotation of shaft 29 and cam 83 to cause spacer bail 19 to rotate in a clockwise direction, which in turn causes lever 98 to rotate in a counter-clockwise direction to raise link 81 and through pawl 88 to cause ratchet 51 to rotate a unit angular amount.

As indicated in Fig. 2, shaft 43 and gear 45 rotate in a clockwise direct on upon each actuation of the counting uni 35. Through this motion of gear 45, gear 48 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction, which motion is transmitted through studs 54 to internal gear 55, and since ratchet wheels 58 and 51 are held stationary through the instrumentality of detent member 85, the stud shafts of the planetary gears 89 and 8| are also held stationary, and the counterclockwise motion of gear 55 is transmitted through the planetary gears 59 and 8| to cause said planetary gears to rotate also in a counterclockwise direction to impart in turn, clockwise rotation to gear 82, and hence to shaft 44.

When it is desired to increase or augment the movement of shaft 44, the ratchet 58 is caused certain amount corresponding to the rotation of' gear 45 and, simultaneously, superadditional motion is imparted to planetary gears 59 and 6I by the clockwise movement of ratchet wheel 56. and the summation of these two.motions imparted to-planetary gears 59 and 6i is communicated, to gear 62, and hence to shaft 44.

On the other hand, when it is desired to rotate shaft 44 an amount corresponding to less than six units, the ratchet wheel 51 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) by its pawl 66, in a manner hereinbefore described, simultaneouslywith the clockwise rotation of gear 45 by counting unit 35. For example, to move the pointer 49 a distance of three units, counting unit 35 will be operated to cause, through the differential or planetary gear arrangement, the shaft 44 to rotate in a clockwise direction an amount equivalent to seventeen units; and the counterclockwise motion imparted to ratchet wheel 51 will have the eiect of reversing the movement of shaft 44 an amount equivalent to fourteen units, permitting shaft 44 thereby to be moved a net distance in a clockwise direction of only three units in the following manner. The counterclockwise rotation of ratchet wheel 51 (that is, in a direction opposite to that indicated by the arrow on ratchet 56) causes the stud shafts, of planetary gears 59 and 6| to be rotated about the axis of shaft 44, also in a counterclockwise direction, whereupon planetary gears 59 and 6| will be causedto rotate about their individual stud shafts in a direction opposite to the direction indicated by the arrows, or in a clockwise direction, to impart therethrough counterclockwise rotation to gear 62, and hence shaft 44, which is equivalent to fourteen units.

However, the counterclockwise rotation of gear 55 through the instrumentality of gears 45 and 46, a distance corresponding to seventeen units will have the effect of rotating shaft 44 in a clockwise direction a distance equivalent to three units or the difference between the motions imparted by counting unit 35 and ratchet wheel 51. If the movements imparted to" shaft 44 by counting unit 35 and ratchet wheels 56 or 51 are considered successively, the dual control of shaft 44 through the instrumentality of the differential gear arrangement shown in Fig. 2 will be more simple to understand. In practical operation, this dual control by counting unit 35 and either of ratchet wheelsv'6 or 51 occurs simultaneously, the effect of one being merged with that of the other. In other words, during operation, gear 45 and ratchet wheels 56 or 51 may be actuated concurrently, gear 45 being actuated to the extent determined by the code disc selector mechanism of the counting device 35, and ratchet wheels 56 or 51 being actuated by their pawls 63 or 66. In the operation of superadding fourteen units, gear 46 and ratchet wheel 56 rotate in opposite directions, yet by virtue of the differential gear arrangement, gear 62 rotates invariably in the same direction; namely, in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 2, the angle of rotation of gear 62 being the summation of the angles of rotation individually irnparted to it by gear 46 and ratchet Wheel 56. On the other hand, in the operation of subtracting fourteen units from the motion imparted by counting unit 35, gear and ratchet 51 rotate in the same direction, yet through the'instrumentality of thel differential gear arrangement, gear 62` will rotate in a clockwise direction, but the angle of rotation thereof will be equivalent to the algebraic sum of the angles of rotation individually imparted to it by the gear 46 and ratchet wheel 51. v

Thus it isseen from the foregoingA description that unit counts ranging from minus-fourteen' to plus-thirty-two units are imparted to shaft 44 by gear 45 associated with the counting unit 35 and that either an additional fourteen units are imparted to shaft 4 4 byratchet wheel 56 or else fourteen units are subtracted therefrom by ratchet wheel 51. Thus when la count oi' twentyfour units, for example, is required, the gear 45 will be actuated to the extent of ten units (which is the difference between fourteen units and twenty-four units)determined selectively by the code disc selector of the counting device. I'he ratchet wheel 56 will be actuated substantially simultaneously with gear 45 to supply the fourteen additional units required to attain thetwentyfour unit count. 'I'he summation of the movements imparted to shaft 44 bygear 46 and the ratchet wheel 56 will be transferred through gears 41 and 46 to matrix pointer 49. Similarly if gear 45 is rotated to an extent equivalent to the full eighteen units and ratchet wheel 56 is actuated a distance representing thirty-two units. On

.the other hand, when a count of four units is required, the gear 45 will be actuated to the extent of eighteen units determined by the code disc selector of the counting device, and the ratchet wheel 51 will be actuated substantially simultaneously with gear 45 to subtract the fourteen units required to attain the four unit count (which is the difference between fourteen units and eighteen units). Moreover, if the ratchet 51 is operated alone; that is, without operating counting unit 35, then the shaft 44 would be rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) an angular amount corresponding to fourteen units, to move, in turn, matrix pointer 49 fourteen units toward the left. Also, if the counting unit 35 is operated to impart an angular rotation in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 2) to shaft 44 corresponding to four units, and the ratchet 51 is operated to impart an angular rotation, in a counterclockwise direction corresponding to fourteen units, the net angular movement imparted to shaft 44 would be in a counterclockwise direction an amount corresponding to ten units, or in other words, a minusten-unit count would be imparted to matrix pointer 49. 'I'hus the algebraic sum of the movements imparted to shaft 44 by gear 46 and ratchet Wheel 51 will be transferred through gears 41 and 46 to matrix pointer 49.

A feature of the present invention is the control and operation of the matrix pointer 49 either forwardly by a suitable means against the compressive action of spring |08 to overcomev the holding action of member |01 and permit matrix pointer 48 to be returned to its initial position by a spring IH acting on a cord H2.

It is to be understood from the foregoing disclosure that a device has been provided whereby a denite unit count may be superadded to or subtracted i'rom the variable unit count to increase or decrease the count possibilities of perforators and counters which would otherwise have a more limited range oi' counting possibilities. Many changes and modiiications may be made without departing` from the spirit and scopeof the Vpresent invention, and it is intended not to be limited to the speciiic language of the foregoing description nor to the details of the accompanying drawing but to be permitted instead a latitude of construction as indicated by the hereunto appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a counting mechanism operable under certain conditions for operating said indicator, automatic means cooperable with said counting mechanism for auginenting the extent oi.' operation of said indicator, and automatic means cooperable with said counting mechanism for decreasing-the effect of said counting mechanism upon said indicator.

2. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a counting mechanism operable under certain operating conditions, a pair of supplementary counting mechanisms operable under certain other operating conditions, and means for controlling the operation of either oi' said pair of supplementary counting mechanisms with said first recited counting mechanism for modifying the extent of operation oi said indicator.

3. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a permutation code mechanism, a plurality of stop members selectively controlled through said mechanism, a counting organ adapted to coact with. a selected stop member to actuate said indicator, and a pair of auxiliary devices also controlled through said mechanism to vary the actuation of said indicator.

4. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a permu' tation code mechanism, a plurality of stop members selectively controlled through said mechanism, a counting organ adapted to coact with a selected stop member to actuate said indicator, and an auxiliary mechanism, comprising a pair of oppositely eiective components also controlled through said mechanism to vary the actuation of said indicator in accordance with either of said pair of components.

5. In an apparatus for preparing controlstrips for linecasting machines, av selector mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in varying cumulative amounts representative of matrix widths, and additional means, comprising a pair of oppositely effective components, also actuated through said mechanism for controlling the action of said means in accordance with which of said pair oi components is actuated..

6. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a counting mechanism, means forv controlling the operation of said mechanism, a supplementary mechanism comprising a pair o! oppositely eiiective components, and means for controlling the effectiveness of said components either individually or conjointly with said counting mechanism for determining the position oi' said indicator.

'1. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a counting mechanism, means for controlling the operation oi' said mechanism, an auxiliary mechanism comprising a pair of components, means for coupling saidcomponents selectively with said counting mechanism tor determining the position of said indicator, and means controlled from the same instrumentalitiesas said mechanisms for applying symbols on the control strip.

8. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a permutation selector mechanism, a counting mechaf nism operated upon each selective operation of said mechanism for. actuating the indicator an amount corresponding to the operation of the counting mechanism, additional means, comprising a pair of oppositely effective components, interposed between said counting mechanism and said indicator for varying the action of the counting mechanism, and .means also selectively controlled by said selector mechanism for rendering one or the other of said components eii'ective conjointly with said counting mechanism.

9. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a permutation selector mechanism, a counting mechanism operated upon each selective operation of said mechanism for actuating the indicator an amount corresponding to the operation of the counting mechanism, additional means, comprising oppositely effective components, interposed between said counting mechanism and said indicator for varying the action of the counting mechanism, and means also selectively controlled by said selector mechanism ior rendering any one of said components effective.

10. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a plurality of keylevers, an indicator, a counting mechanism operable under certain operating conditions, a further mechanism, comprising oppositely effective components, operable under other conditions, and means selectively operable from said keylevers for rendering any one of said components eiective.

11. In an apparatus `for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, means operable under certain operating conditions for operating the indicator, other means, comprising a pair of oppositely effective components, operable under diierent operating conditions for modifying the operative effect of said means, and means operable permutably for selectively controlling the operation of one or the other of said pair of components conjointly with said iirst recited means for varying the operation of said indicator.

12. `In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator, a counting mechanism, a plurality of pairs of members operable permutably to control the operation oi' said counting mechanism, a f urther mechanism comprising a pair of oppositely effective components, additional pairs of members adapted to control directly said components, and means for controlling the operation of said counting mechanism individually or conjointly with one or the other of said components for varying the action of said indicator.

13. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a permutation code mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and further means comprising oppositely effective components also actuated through said mechanism for varying the effectiveness of said means in accordance with the component actuated.

14. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a plurality of keylevers, a plurality of elements operated permutably upon the actuation of the keylevers, an indicator, a counting mechanism controlled by said elements for actuating said indicator, and means comprising reversely effective components also controlled by said elements for modifying the action of said counting mechanism on said indicator according to the component actuated.

15. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a selector mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and a diierential gear arrangement comprising a pair of reversely eifectiye components also actuated through said mechanism for varying the eifectiveness of said means according to the component actuated.

16. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a selector mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and an auxiliary device comprising a pair of ratchet and pawl components and a planetary gear component cooperatively related, and also actuated through said mechanism for varying the eectiveness of said means.

17. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a device for totalizing variable incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, a mechanism operated variably under certain operating conditions, another mechanism comprising a pair of reversely effective components operable invariable extents under other operating conditions, a single source of control for said mechanisms, and an instrumentality plurally controlled in accordance with the individual operations of said components and said rst recited mechanism, or the joint operations of said rst recited mechanism with either of said components.

18. In a registering apparatus, a selector mechanism, a principal recorder, a compensating device, comprising a pair of oppositely actuable elements, actuated through said selector mechanism, and a planetary gear system for incorporating the effect of either of said pair of elements to said principal recorder.

19. In a keyboard apparatus, a selector mechanism, an indicator, a counting mechanism operable through said selector mechanism for operating said indicator, and means cooperable with said counting mechanism for reducing the effect of said counting mechanism upon said indicator.

20. 4In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a selector mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and a difi'erential gear arrangement also actuated through said mechanism for reducing the effectiveness ci said means.

21. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a permutation code mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and further means also actuated through said mechanism to cooperate additively or subtractively with said means for varying the effectiveness of said means.

22. In a keyboard apparatus, an indicator, a counting mechanism, means for controlling the operation of said mechanism, an auxiliary mechanism comprising a pair of components, means for controlling the effectiveness of said components either alone or conjointly with said counting mechanism for determining the position of said indicator, and means controlled from the same instrumentalities as said mechanisms for applying symbols on the control strip.

23. In an apparatus for preparing control strips' for linecasting machines, an indicator, a permubers selectively controlled through said-mechanism, a counting instrumentality adapted to coact with a selected stop member to actuate said indicator, and a pair of auxiliary devices also controlled through said mechanism to alter either additively or subtractively the registrations ol said indicator.

24. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, a selector mechanism, means actuated through said mechanism in incremental amounts representative of matrix widths, and a differential gear arrangement also actuated through said selector mechanism to cooperate additively or subtractively with said means.

25. In a keyboard apparatus, a selector mechanism, an indicator, a counting mechanism operable through said selector mechanism for operating said selector, and means cooperable additively or subtractively with said counting mechanism for varying the eilect of said counting mechanism upon said indicator.

26. In a keyboard apparatus, a selector mechanism, an indicator, a counting mechanism operable through said selector mechanism for operating said indicator, and means comprising adding and subtracting components cooperable with said counting mechanism for varying the effect of said counting mechanism upon said indicator.

27. In van apparatus, means to eect a controlling mark on a controlling strip for a linecasting machine, an indicator operated incremental amounts corresponding to the marks ei'- fected, a counting mechanism operable under certain conditions for operating saidindicatcr. means ycooperable with said counting mechanism for augmenting the extent of operation of said indicator, and means cooperable with said counting mechanism for decreasing the eilect oi' said counting mechanism upon said indicator.

. tation code mechanism, a plurality of stop mem'- v 28. In an apparatus for preparing control strips for linecasting machines, an indicator. a counting mechanism operable under certain selected conditions vfor operating said indicator, means cooperable with said counting mechanism for augmenting the extent oi' operation of said indicator, and means cooperable with said counting mechanism for decreasing the eiIect-'of said counting mechanism upon said indicator.

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